2009 News

February 18, 2009

The Saving O’ the Green
Bucks County Commissioners Honor St. Patrick’s Day Committee & Agree to Discuss “Draw Down Payment Plan” with Doylestown Borough Council

During a two-hour work meeting that included recognition of the 2009 Bucks County St. Patrick’s Day Committee Grand Marshal, Bruce Ashmore of Langhorne, the Board of Bucks County Commissioners cast a watchful eye toward ongoing cost containment.

The meeting also included a Letter of Commendation from the Commissioners and presentation of the 2008 Bucks County 9-1-1 Youth Hero Award to 13-year-old Trumbauersville Borough resident Sabriya Love. Last September, Sabriya placed a 9-1-1 call that ultimately led to a successful ambulance response for her mother, who was suffering chest pains. On hand to present the Commendation was 9-1-1 Public Education Supervisor Chuck Axt, who praised the teenager for her “critical awareness skills.”

Following protracted debate of a proposed $205,120 payment of the building permit fee to Doylestown Borough regarding the new county parking garage, Chairman Charles H. Martin and Vice Chairman James F. Cawley, Esq. approved the payment – with a substantial caveat.

The board, including Commissioner Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia, LCSW, who voted against the payment approval, resolved to continue discussions with Doylestown Borough Council to explore a “draw down payment plan” that could produce cost savings for both parties.

Referencing a September 23, 2002 letter from then Doylestown Borough Council President Tom Jarrett, Commissioner Cawley insisted that the county is committed to performing the “actions of a partner.” In that 2002 letter, Jarrett wrote that the “Borough of Doylestown will agree to waive all local building permit fees for the construction of the County facilities.”

In attendance was Doylestown Borough Council Vice President Lou White, who also was a member of council back in 2002. “I think he (Jarrett) acted in the best interest of the council at that time,” Mr. White explained. As for the Commissioners’ request to discuss the draw down payment plan, Mr. White added: “I think it’s a reasonable request.”

During discussion, county General Services Director Gerald Anderson indicated that failure to approve the building permit fee would “have an impact” on the construction timetable. Anderson highlighted multiple improvements to the Doylestown Borough infrastructure that will occur on the county dime, including stormwater management measures and more than $1 million in traffic improvements. “We don’t expect the Borough to go in the hole at all,” Anderson noted.

Another cost-containment measure involved the tabling of a $98,125 contract to replace the roof at the Yardley branch of the Bucks County Free Library. The contract was not the low bid for the work, and the Commissioners agreed to revisit the low bidder for more information about the company.

Following another lengthy period of discussion that included Bucks County Emergency Services Director John Dougherty, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Deputy Administrator Jeff Thomas
and Chester County Emergency Services Director Ed Atkins, who also chairs the Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Task Force, Commissioners Martin and Cawley approved the funding of an executive director position for the Task Force. Commissioner Marseglia voted no on the contract with Adecco staffing.

“There is a lot of legwork that’s required for this Task Force to be efficient,” Dougherty told the attendees. “It handled $22.5 million worth of grants in 2008. It also includes (10) subcommittees. This director will attend meetings in Harrisburg and Washington on behalf of the Task Force.”

The board also approved contracts for 10 varying departments, including a $350,000 pass-through contract for a municipal grant for upgrades to the Bristol Borough Police Station. The grant was generated from gaming funds. In addition, the board unanimously approved Ordinance No. 135, which continues a tax freeze on real estate millage for properties preserved through the Bucks County Agricultural Land Preservation Program, in accordance with the Agricultural Area Security Law.

During his Chief Operating Officer report, David Sanko touched on four items. He reported on a request from the Commissioners to explore blood and toxicology testing performed by the District Attorney’s office. He learned that the DA relies on an “independent lab” legal component that is more cost-effective when outsourced. Of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties, 66 outsource such work. He reiterated the need for volunteers for the Bensalem RSVP program. He also discussed the potential impact of the federal stimulus bill in Bucks County, and he mentioned a “mortgage foreclosure diversionary program” funding application submitted to Congressman Patrick Murphy.

In other business, Commissioner Cawley followed through on his recommendation to form a Bucks County Economic Development Advisory Board.  Sixteen new members to the board, including Co-chair Murphy, were appointed. The board will aim to bring business and jobs to Bucks County.

In addition to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade proclamation, which included remarks from former Commissioner Sandra Miller, the Commissioners declared March 1-7 “Consumer Protection Week” throughout the county. This year’s nationally designated theme is “Nuts and Bolts: Tools for Today’s Economy.” Accepting the proclamation were county Consumer Protection Director Michael Bannon and staff members Patty Medd, Lynn Hanes and Rebecca Noll. For more information about Consumer Protection issues in Bucks County, please visit www.BucksCounty.org or call 1-800-942-2669.

NOTE: The next commissioners’ meeting will take place at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March, 4, in the auditorium of Conwell-Egan Catholic High School, 611 Wistar Rd., Fairless Hills, 19030. For a full audio account of the Feb. 18 meeting, please go to www.BucksCounty.org and click on the link on the commissioners’ meeting page.